- The offense
Sexual abuse knows no
demographic boundaries, but more than 80 percent of victims are female,
while the
overwhelming majority of perpetrators is male. The typical victim is a pre-teen
girl
abused over a long
period of time by a middle-aged male family member who may have experienced
sexual abuse himself.
Sexual abuse is not
driven by love or sexual gratification; rather, it typically is an act of
control
over a weaker victim
to bolster an offender’s feelings of low self-worth, to gain attention, or to
feel
cared for by someone.
Typically, the offender is someone unable to have a healthy, intimate
relationship
with other people.
The offender often
takes advantage of the natural trust among family members and then uses the
same trust to hide
the offense, threatening further harm or the loss of another family member’s
trust and affection
if revealed. A complex bond may develop between an offender and victim.
- The effects
Some of the physical
effects of sexual abuse are immediately apparent and can include bruises,
cuts, burns, injury
to genitals, damage to reproductive and other internal organs, pregnancy, and
sexually transmitted
diseases.
The psychological
effects of sexual abuse may appear immediately, but often are delayed. Sexual
abuse can destroy
trust and warp the victim’s perception of a normal, loving relationship.
Victims
frequently feel they
are at fault for the abuse and have low self-esteem. These feelings can lead to
depression, eating
and sleeping disorders, and suicide attempts.
Victims may fall into
a pattern of searching out marital and sexual partners who abuse them. They
may find it difficult
to form meaningful and lasting relationships with members of the opposite
sex or to have normal
sexual relations. They may use sex to gain attention or affection and may see
themselves worthy
only as sex objects.
Victims also resort
to defense mechanisms to blot the incidents from their mind. These repressed
feelings of anger and
guilt may lead to physical and psychological problems. Physically, repressed
feelings may cause
ulcers, colitis, and migraine headaches, for example.
Psychologically,
repressed memories of abuse may resurface as symptoms of other mental
illnesses.
Unless a history of
abuse is revealed, a victim may be treated for a mental illness while the real
cause of the symptoms
goes untreated.
- Treatment
The physical trauma
of sexual abuse usually heals without long-lasting effect. The psychological
trauma also can be
treated successfully. Through support groups and individual and group
therapy, a victim can
overcome the barriers that the memories and pain of abuse place in the way
of a normal, happy,
and productive life. Recovery may take anywhere from three to five years of
intensive therapy and
years of follow-up and support.
- What can be done?
Good communication
within a family may be the best defense against sexual abuse. Parents
should make it clear
to their children what types of attention and touching are permissible and
what parts of the
body are private and not to be touched by another person.
Adults may be
unwilling or may find it hard to believe a child’s complaint of abuse, but
children
rarely lie about
sexual abuse. Parents should assure children that they will be believed and
loved
no matter what they
have to tell.
Warning signs include
changes in a child’s personality, a sudden aversion to another person, and
unusual
secretiveness. Parents should be alert to unexplained bruises, tenderness, and
rashes, especially
on or about the
genitalia and mouth. They should question unwarranted gifts or money
and talk with
children about close relationships they form with adults.
Sexual abuse makes up
three-fourths of all crimes against children. To report suspected or known
abuse, call toll-free, 1-800-392-3738. The call is confidential.
Sexual abuse affects at least one
of every 10 families in the United States. In Missouri, more than 2,100 cases
are reported each year, but it is
estimated that nine in 10 cases are never reported.
Any sexual contact between an
adult and an unconsenting person is considered abuse and any sexual contact
between an adult and a minor,
regardless of consent, is abuse. Sexual abuse also can include indecent
exposure, pornography, obscene
phone calls, or exposure to sexual acts.
Like rape, sexual abuse is a form
of violence. Its effects span generations with many victims of childhood
sexual abuse experiencing emotional problems years
later as adults.
Hasminee Uma K.E . NIM 2410215.
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